Key case



. L. FISCHER April 23, 1940.

KEY CASE Filed sept. 27, 19:59

Patented Apr. 23, 1940- ons@ srarss -"rar orties KEY CASE l Howard L. Fischer, St. Paul, Application September 27, 1939, Serial No. 296,763

,17 claims..v

My invention relates to key cases Which are adapted to provide. a case for supporting keys. A feature resides in a key case which gives free access tothe keys and which may be used for an kautomobile key case and .other keys, or for purpose.

The key case is composed of side Walls which are adapted to be pressed toward each other by a spring wire clasp, the shank of the Wireacting to provide a support and pivot point forv the keys and the free ends of the Wire engaging in the side Walls of the case and being adapted to press the walls together or toward each other.

It is also a feature to provide a recess or slot for the shank of the spring Wire clasp so that the same may be readily moved into and out of operative position when the free hook ends of the clasp are released from the sides of the case. Thus the spring clasp forms a loop upon which the keys may be readily placed or removed from the same, and also provides the means of holding the sides of the case together or in closed position to encase the keys" Within .the same. It is `easy to attach the keys `to thespring Wire loop and vthen the loop may be readily attached to the sides of the key case.

This application is an extension and improvement of my application, Serial No. 68,234; filed .March 11, 1936, for Key case.

A furtherfeature resides in a key case Wherein the same may be made of plastic and .molded in the desired shape and wherein the spring Wire clasp holds the sides of the saine together. Thus'the two side. Walls which form the case may be made of plastic and molded with the slot for receiving the shank of the clasp.

A further feature resides in providing a plastic key case Vwherein the sides are adapted to be held together or in operative position by a single spring Wire clasp and Whereinthe case may be opened to release the keys by engaging the sides to spread the same, or by exerting pressure against one side of the case which causes the other side to open due to a fulcrumor rocking point formed in the key case.

Itis also an object to provide a key case Wherethe sides are pivoted in relation to each other vso that the case may be opened when squeezed onA one side, opening the case on the opposite side.

AThis key case includes a simple construction wherein when the key case is made. oi plastic, two side Wall members which Aform the body of =.the case are provided, and by means of a single (Cl. --456) v spring vclasp these for carrying the ignition a small key case for any of the same.

4give an increased pressure members are held together and are adapted to be `pivoted in a manner lso as to release the keys out of the body of the case -or to lcause key case. f

It is also a feature of my case 'to provide a means of holding a drivers licensewithin the case and the drivers license lbeing rolled up (tubular) acts to add a slight amount of ten'- sion tcf'hold the key case closed on the opposite `Il() side to the tubular portion which .holds the drivers license.

These features together objects will be more after set forth. A

I-n the drawing forming a part .of this specifcation:

Figure l is a perspective' view of my plastic key case, showing one. of the keys projecting out with other detailsand fully yand clearly herein- Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective kview of one side of the plastic -key case shown inFigure 1.

Figure 4 illustrates the other side ofthe plastio key case shown in Figure l.

. 25 Figure 5 illustrates the keys removedl from the key case and held by the spring Wire clasp.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail section on the `line i-l of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is `an enlarged section on the line ,V310

'l--l of Figure 1. v

Fig-ure 8 is a'loottom view. of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a perspective of another form of my key case Where the :sides or Vbody is made of leather or other soft material :showing one` of,(.35 the .keys projecting lfrom the same and showing thespring clasp in dotted position with the free hook ends of the .clasp as they Would appear when removed from the side Walls.

Figure .1.0 is an enlarged section on the line n lil-l0 of Figure 9. l

Figure 1l is a side elevation of another form of my key case Where the body is made of plastic.

Figure 12 is an enlarged section on the line 12-,112 of Figure 11. Il.

Figure 13 illustrates another form of plastic :key case which Iemplo Figure 14 is a bottom View of Figure 13.

Figure 15 illustrates the spring lwire clasp Which isused in ythe ,plastic form of my key case Where the free ends of Vthe spring are vbent to against the side Walls of the case.

Figure 16 is another form of spring Wire clasp Where the free ends abut together and the hooks j.

lthe keys to be 'inserted in the in the free ends have longer end shanks as are used in Figures 9 and l0.

Figure 1'7 illustrates another form of the spring wire clasp similar to Figure 15, excepting where the free ends of the spring wire abut against each other under the spring tension of the arms of the clasp.

My key case is o a simple construction and the body may be formed of plastic with a pair oi side members II) and II which are adapted to be held together by a spring clasp I2,

The side wall IE! is shown in perspective in Figure 4 and is formed with a groove I3 extending along inside of the same and into which the bearing member III which is formed on the inside of the member I I is adapted to fit. n The member It is integral with the side wall and is semi-circular in cross-section just as the groove I3 is semicircular so that when the bearing rod III fits into the groove I3 the side walls I0 and II may be rockedon the bearing rod I4 to open the side oi' the key case. The opening of the key case is accomplished by pressing as indicated at I5 by the word Press in Figure 1. This causes the sides to open on the opposite side of the key case and causes the walls Iii and II to move as indicated in dotted outline in Figure 7.

The spring wire clasp I2 is illustrated in Figures 5 and 15 and may be made in the form I2 illustrated in Figure 17. The arms of this wire clasp are adapted to extend in the grooves I5 formed extending longitudinally along the outside of the sidewalls II) and II. The free hook ends I1 of the spring clasp I2 are adapted to engage in the holes I8 formed at the lower ends of the grooves I6 so that when the clasp I2 is caused to engage the side walls, the hooks I'I will hold the clasp in operative position and in a .manner to cause the spring side arms of the same to press the sides I0 and II together, holding the same on the bearing rod III. The side walls are recessed at I9 to permit ones nger nails to engage under the arms of the clasp I2 to liftthe same out of the holes I8 when it is desired to remove the wire clasp from the sides I0 and II.

The transverse portion 2li adapted toA provide a bearing for supporting the keys 2I. Thus in attaching the keys 2l to the spring clasp I2 it is only necessary to spread the spring arms of the clasp sufficiently to pass the clasp through the holes 22 in the keys 2 I threading the keys onto the spring clasp I2 and then the keys may be inserted between the side walls IU and II while these walls are held in line and the hook ends I'I sliding along in the longitudinal groove I6 until they reach the holes I8, whereupon the clasp I2 will be locked in operative position as illustrated in Figures 1 and'2. The side walls I0 and II are provided with open slots 23 which are formed in line with the upper end of the grooves I6 so that the shank 20 of the clasp I2 will slip into the slots 23 and permit the hook ends I'I to be pushed home into the openings I8. When this is accomplished, the key case A is in readiness for use, Supporting the keys 2I between the side walls of the same to encase the keys kand protect ones pocket from being Worn by the keys and also to provide a means of holding the keys in a case collectively supported on the single shank 20.

Thus the spring wire clasp I2 acts to hold `the side walls I0 and I I together, the bearing rod III holding these sides in line and at the same time the spring clasp supports the keys in a desirable manner. 1-

of the claspv I2 is When it is desired to operate the key case A to remove either or both of the keys, it is only necessary to press the side walls together at the points I5 on either side where the case is marked with the word Press, and the other side of the key case will open, spreading the flanges 24 apart to permit either or one of the keys 2I to slide out of the case A when the case is held so that the key will drop out by gravity.

It is apparent that either o the keys 2I may be selected individually by holding the case slightly on a slant so that the keys will drop toward the front portion of the flanges 24. Then by pressing at I5, the key on the upper side or toward the operator will slide out, while the other key will remain within the case because it engages the inner surface of the liange 24. If the other key is desired tobe released, instead of the first key mentioned, it is only necessary to turn the key case' so that the key desired is toward the operator, slanting and operating the case in the same manner, and that key will slide out.

The key case may be made in the form Bwhere the body 25 is made of leather which is folded so that the sides virtually bear against each other when the spring wire clasp 26 is attached to the same with the hook ends 2'I engaging in the holes 28 in the sides of the key case. The clasp 26 is virtually the same as the clasp I2 excepting that the hook ends 21 are longer and thus they provide a stop for holding the keys in the case when the free ends of the keys are slipped under the hooks 2'I. f

The case B receives the shank 29 throughthe slits 30 in the upper edges of the `side walls ofthe body 25. The slits 30 terminate in the round or enlarged openings 3| so that the shank 29 will t in these openings when the clasp 26 is in operative position as illustrated in full lines in Figure 9. 'Ihe slits 30 are complemental to the slots 23 and operate for thesame purpose topermit the wire clasp 23 to be readily removed so that the keys 2I may be attached to the same as hereinbefore set forth.

In. Figures 11 and 12 I have illustrated my key case C which is made out of thin plastic material and which is provided with a reinforcinglliner'or cloth or other suitable material, such as 32.'v In this construction of my key case the clasp I2"'is used which is provided with the shank 20 and free ends of the clasp are provided'with the hook ends: I'I.

'I'he key case C is provided with the slots 23 which are the same as in the key case A and permit the clasp to be readily attached or` disengaged when the hook ends I'I' are disengaged from the holes 33 in the Walls of the case.

In the key cases B and C, it is necessarythat the free edges of the side walls be engaged to spread the side walls apart instead of pressing the sides of the case, as in the key case A.

In Figures 13- and 14 I have illustrated akkey case D which is formed of plastic molded material with the two side walls 34 and 35 and which are adapted to be pivotally connected together on the bearing rod I4. In this form of my key case, I provide semi-cylindrical-like portions 36 formed integral with the side walls 34 and 35. These portions 36 have a cylindrical opening in the same in which a drivers license 3`I may be inserted when the same is rolled up, thus providing a 4supporting means for the drivers license 31 so that it is accessible with the automobile keys 2i. vIn the case D, I use the same spring clasp- I2 to hold III) the sides together-'as is used in the .case A. The case Dis also operated in the same manner as the case-A, by pressingatfthe portion I on either side of the case which spreads the other side of the Ycase so that the iianges 24 willspread apart and allow-the keys 2| to slide out ofthe case.

The spring clasps i2 and 26 may be made of round orilat wire and these clasps act to- -hold the sides of the key case together. It isimportant that the slots 23 and 23' be provided, as well as the slit v30 so that the spring clasp lnay be removed and the keys attached to--the same, or to permit the key case to be assembled. Without the slots or siitsin the respective for1ns,-the spring clasp would not be readily attachable.

In the plastic lmolded liorm of my keycase the operation-of the clasp is the same as in the `leather form B, and thus the keysare -held inthe case in a very simple and' effective manner.

While I have illustrated -a particular form and construction for the body of my key case and -for the wire clasps to hold the body together, it may be apparent that othery forms thereof may be provided and I desire to have it understood that if the same are Within the scope of the following claims they shall be considered as a part of this invention.

I claim:

l. A key case including side walls adapted to form the body of the case for inclosing the keys within the same, a spring wire clasp having free hook ends formed thereon, and slots in the walls of said case for receiving the shank of said spring clasp, said hook ends holding said clasp in operative position and adapted to hold the side wallsl of the key case in closed position under spring tension.

2. A key case comprising a pair of side walls having approximately the same general dimensions and being adapted to be held in close relation to each other, a spring clasp having a transverse shank for receiving keys thereon and including arms having hooks formed on the free ends thereof, and slits formed in said side walls of said case for receiving said shank of saidy spring clasp, and holes insaid side the free ends of said spring arms of said clasp.

3. A key case including a body portion having side walls, slots formed extending from the edge of said side Walls into the body a short distance, recesses in said side walls spaced from the base of said slots, and a spring clasp having a transverse shank adapted to fit into the base of said slots and free ends extending into said recesses, whereby when said spring clasp is attached to the side Walls of said body the same will be held under spring tension bearing toward each other to hold the key case closed.

4. A key case having a pair of side walls molded of plastic material, one of said walls having a bearing rod formed projecting therefrom on its. inner face, and the other of said walls having a complemental recess for said bearing rod on its inner face, and a spring wire clasp and key supporting means adapted to hold said walls together tov provide a case for inclosing keys within the same.

5. A molded sectional plastic key case having a pair of side walls, means for hingedly supporting said Walls together, spring clasp means having a key receiving transversely disposed shank and spring arms projecting therefrom adapted to hold said side walls together under spring tension, and slots formed in said side walls for receiving said shank of said spring clasp.

' 7. A sectional walls for receiving 6. A molded sectional lplastic lkey `case having a pair of side walls, means for hingedly supporting said walls together, spring clasp means havand spring arms -projecting therefrom adapted to hold said side walls together under tension, slots formed in said side walls `for receiving said shank of said spring clasp, longitudinal grooves in the walls of said case for .receiving the spring arms of said clasp, hook ends formed on the free ends of the arms of said clasp and recessesin said walls for receiving said hook ends to lock said clasp in operative position lto hold the sides of said case together under spring tension.

plastic key case including a pair of plastic side walls, longitudinally extending bearing means for pivotally supporting said side walls to each other, a spring clasp for supporting keys and for holding said side walls together under spring tension, and slot and recess means for holding said clasp removably locked to said side walls, whereby when said. side walls are pressed toward each-other on one side they will separate on the other side to permit the free'encls of keys to be selectively and collectively swung out of said key case.

8. A key case comprising a pair of rolled side walls which form the case for inclosing the keys, and a spring Wire means adapted to hold the keys swingable in and out of said case and having spring arms for holding said case normally closed.

9. A key case comprising a pair of formed side walls which provide the case for inclosing the keys, a spring wire means adapted to hold the keys swingable in and out of said case, said spring means being adapted to normally hold said case closed, and means formed in said case for pivoting the side walls so as to cause the same to open along one side when squeezed together on the other side to open and close said key case.

10. A key case including a case formed with side Walls, spring clasp means for holding said side walls normally closed, means for pivoting said side walls to swing against the action of said clasp to open said case, and means in said clasp for supporting the keys swingable into and out of said case.

11. A key case including a case portion, a spring wire clasp for engaging said case to hold the same normally closed, and means for opening said case along virtually one side thereof by pressing on the opposite side of the same.

l2. A key case having a body portion adapted to form a casing for inclosing keys in the same, and a spring wire means adapted to support the keys as a unit to permit the keys to be removed on said spring wire and to be attached to said spring wire as a unit and then attached to said casing so that the keys may be contained therein, said spring wire means providing spring means for holding said casing normally closed.

13. A sectional key case having a plastic body formed inv sections, longitudinally extending bearing means formed on the inner sides of said sections to pivotally support said sections in relation to each other, a spring clasp for supporting keys, and having means for holding said sections together under spring tension, slot means extending from the edge of said sections toreceive a transverse shank of said spring clasp, longitudinal grooves for receiving the spring arms of said clasp extending from the base of said slot means, recesses at the ends of said longitudinal grooves, and hook ends on the free ends ing a keyy receiving transversely disposed shank of said spring clasp adapted to fit in said recesses when the arms of said clasp are extending longitudinally in said grooves.

14. A sectional key case including a pair of plastic side Walls being formed to provide a casing for inclosing keys Within the same when said sections are associated together, spring clasp means for holding said sections bearing against each other under spring tension, means for pivotally connecting said sections together, said spring clasp being adapted to swingably support keys on the same, and shoulder flange means formed in said side wall sections to permit keys held in said case to be selectively swung out of the same.

15. A sectional key case including molded sections adapted to provide the casing of said case, spring clasp means for holding said sections together, and having means for supporting the keys in a manner to be swingable in and out of said key case, and means in said case for selectively retarding some of said keys to retain the same in said case, While a selected key is swung out of said case.

16. A molded sectional plastic key case having a pair of side walls, means for hingedly supporting said walls together, spring clamp means having a key receiving transversely disposed shank, spring arms projecting therefrom adapted to hold said side Walls together under spring tension, slots formed in said side Walls for receiving said shank, and a recess formed on the inside of the side Walls adjacent said hinge portion adapted to receive an automobile drivers license or the like, which when compressed in said recess acts to assist said spring arms in holding the side Walls of said case closed.

17. A key case including a case portion, a spring Wire clasp for engaging said case to hold the same normally closed, means for opening said case along virtually one side Wall thereof, by pressing on the opposite sides of the same ex panding said spring clasp, and a recess in said case for a drivers license or the like, which when tending to expand aids said spring clasp to close said case.

HOWARD L. FISCHER. 

